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Show 898 MR. O. THOMAS ON A REMARKABLY SMALL SKUNK. [Nov. 30, Mr. Kirby in his remarks had omitted to mention a fact by no means irrelevant to the question, namely that normal Mountain Beedbucks (Cervicapra fulvorufula) do not ordinarily inhabit the summits of mountains, but only their lateral cliffs and slopes, and that in the mountains referred to they appeared to range almost or quite as high as usual. The n ew form would therefore seem to present a genuine difference in habits, as well as in colour. Mr. Oldfield Thomas exhibited a specimen of a remarkably small Skunk of the genus Spilogale which had been received in a collection made by M r . P. O. Simons in Western Mexico. It appeared to be undescribed, and was characterized as follows :- SPILOGALE PVGM^EA, sp. n. Size very small, barely half that of any known species. Pattern of coloration differing considerably from that found in the other members of the genus, which in this respect were all so like each other that they had formerly been supposed to form but a single species. White of forehead united to the white ear-patches so as to form a band across the face from ear to ear, but in the centre of the face the white did not project forward beyond the level of the eye. Median pair of light dorsal bands grey, not white, and running right through to the rump wdthout interruption by black transverse bands on the posterior back ; each was, however, divided for its posterior half by a narrow black longitudinal line commencing at the usual level of the anterior transverse band, and running backwards and afterwards outwards just like that in connection with the transverse line in the other species. Chin white, with two white stripes diverging from it towards the ear-patches. Upper surface of bqth hands and feet white, in continuation in front with the white lateral stripe, and behind with a white line running up on to the hams ; but the inner side of both carpus and tarsus with a large black patch continuous with the black of the belly. Claws rather small, whitish horn-colour. Tail short, with hairs not half the length of the head and body, mixed black and white basally above, white terminally and below, the basal half inch below quite black; longest hairs little over 1^'iuch in length. Skull very markedly of the narrow high-crowned type; crests and ridges exceedingly little developed, the postorbital processes minute ; intertemporal breadth greater than interorbital, but this possibly due to parasites being present: brain-case vaulted, very thin, little ridged, the temporal crests scarcely perceptible, and not approaching within 8 m m . of each other. In these respects, as was so often the case in mammals, the old skull of a small species simulated tbe young one of larger forms. Teeth apparently similar in form to those of the larger species, of which thev formed a diminutive copy. Lower jaw not very markedly convex below. |